MUMBAI, INDIA — India’s grain planting area expanded due to increased rainfall, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The planting area for the 2020-21 rabi (winter) crop is 3% higher compared to last year with increased area for wheat, rice, pulses and oilseeds. It was a 4% jump compared with the five-year average.

The USDA estimates wheat and rice planted area increased 3% compared with last year, while area for oilseeds and pulses increased by 4%.

However, some course cereals crop such as corn and millets did see a decrease in planted area.